Jake Gagne has taken fifth place in today’s 17-lap, opening race of the 2017 WorldSBK season finale at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar, equalling his best finish in the series scored in his previous appearance at Magny-Cours a month ago. His Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team mate Davide Giugliano was forced to an early retirement at the end of lap six.

Gagne got a decent launch from eighteenth place on the grid and had a competitive opening lap, as he made his way past some rivals to enter the top-15. As the race progressed, the 24-year-old from San Diego battled with Guarnoni for eleventh position before consolidating twelth place in the latter stages of the encounter.

Giugliano got a good launch from the fifteenth slot of the grid and was able to move up two places as the World Superbike field entered turn one. The 28-year-old Italian then started to lose ground and was passed by his team mate Gagne, before making his way back to the pits and pull out of the race.

The final race of the 2017 FIM Superbike World Championship will get underway tomorrow at 21:00 local time (GMT +3), with Giugliano and Gagne again 15^th and 18^th, respectively, on the starting grid.

The British Motor Industry Heritage Trust, based at the British Motor Museum, is again supporting the Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, supported by Hiscox, which is taking place this Sunday 5 November.

Charley Boorman, TV presenter, adventurer and travel writer will drive the Museum’s 1904 Rover 8hp which is the oldest surviving Rover car and just one of 6 cars from the Museum’s collection which will be participating in this year’s Run. Charley is also representing the Movember Foundation. 

Other cars from the Museum which will be taking part include a 1901 Wolseley 10hp tonneau which will be driven by motoring journalist Quentin Willson. The British Motor Industry Heritage Trust’s new chairman, Kevin Timms, will be driving a 1904 Thornycroft 20hp tonneau, which was driven last year by Lindsey Russell from Blue Peter and in 2014 by Olympic legend, Sir Steve Redgrave. Also participating are the Museum’s 1899 Wolseley 3½hp voiturette, 1902 Albion A1 dog-cart and 1904 Wolseley 6hp phaeton.

The Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Run supported by Hiscox is a premier event in the annual motoring calendar and has been running longer than any other in the world. It marks the historic day in 1896 when a group of pioneer motorists set out from London towards the seaside, in celebration of the ‘emancipation of the motor car’.

Stephen Laing, Curator at the British Motor Museum said “We are delighted that Charley is driving one of the cars from the Museum’s collection. The Run is one of the most exhilarating and exclusive motoring adventures in the world. These wonderful cars are all more than a century old and are some of the rarest and finest models from our collection. Watching 400 veteran cars take part in the Run is an amazing and nostalgic experience.”

To find out more about the British Motor Museum please visit the website at www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk  or call 01926 641188.

Mitas, part of Trelleborg Group, introduces its new scooter tyre line TOURING FORCE-SC, which will be on display at EICMA exhibition (Hall 9, Exhibition stand I 73) from 7 to 12 November 2017.

The TOURING FORCE-SC line is ideal for any scooter type and will be available in a wide range of sizes from 10 to 16 inches.

Ksenija Bitenc, Director of Mitas Motorcycle Tyres and Tubes, says: “TOURING FORCE-SC combines all the expertise we have acquired through the development of high performance radial motorcycle tyres and our involvement in scooter racing. As a result, TOURING FORCE-SC provides to all scooter riders and their passengers, safe, dynamic and comfortable riding, whether during a short city trip or for longer journeys as well.”

Kevin Schwantz’s 1989 Pepsi Suzuki RGV500 is to be restored to full working order at this year’s Motorcycle Live – which takes place from 18-26 November at the NEC in Birmingham – as part of the Japanese manufacturer’s presence at the annual event.

The iconic Grand Prix machine will be completely stripped, before being carefully and meticulously restored by Team Classic Suzuki chief mechanic Nathan Colombi. The restoration will be supported by Suzuki’s Vintage Parts Programme.

1989 was arguably Schwantz’s best season for results, with only crashes preventing him from lifting the world title. He finished either first or second in every race he completed that season, taking six wins and a further three runner-up finishes. He would eventually lift the world title for Suzuki in 1993. The Texan was named a Grand Prix legend in 2000.

Suzuki restoration projects or builds have become a mainstay of the Motorcycle Live features list in recent years, and after the Vintage Parts Programme was launched at the 2013 event, Suzuki has gone on to build a brand new TL1000S, restore an original GSX-R750F, and build Team Classic Suzuki’s Katana endurance racer at the last three shows.

Suzuki GB aftersales marketing co-ordinator, Tim Davies, said of the project, “Kevin Schwantz is still, undoubtedly, a legend among motorcyclists in the UK; we saw that with his presence at British Grand Prix at Silverstone earlier this year. For us at Suzuki, it’s no different, either, and his 1989 RGV500 is an iconic machine that we’re looking forward to restoring. We’ve built or restored a number of bikes at Motorcycle Live in recent years but this is the first time we’ve restored a legendary racing machine like this. It’s a new challenge, and also something different for visitors to the show, while still allowing us to highlight just how many genuine Suzuki parts can be ordered through the Vintage Parts Programme.”

The restoration of Schwantz’s RGV500 won’t be the only feature on the Suzuki stand at Motorcycle Live, with the popular ‘elbow down’ feature making a return.

Suzuki’s extensive 2018 model range will be available for show-goers to explore and try for size, along with a display of race bikes that will include Michael Dunlop’s Isle of Man TT-winning GSX-R1000, while free teas and coffees will be served from on the stand for visitors who want to take a break from walking the halls. The Suzuki Shop will stock the latest lines in Suzuki merchandise and clothing.

Suzuki can be found on stand 3A20 at this year’s Motorcycle Live when doors open on November 18. For show information and tickets, visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk

TENS of thousands flocked to Warwickshire’s Stoneleigh Park for the four-day spectacular of mud, motorcycles and rider announcements.

Partnered again by oil giant MOTUL, the event – from October 26-29 – built on the successes of last year with another fantastic show as the scene’s major players displayed their 2018 ranges alongside more than 100 trade stands and exciting live action.

At the venue and across social media, showgoers loved the revamped premier off-road exhibition in Europe and said they will be heading back in 2018.

Main organiser of the event Nick Mowbray said: “What a great four days. Thanks to all the punters for coming and to the exhibitors for putting in so much effort to make it a superb show. The entire weekend only serves to demonstrate the strength of this show and the off-road scene generally.”

MOTUL brand manager Richard Barrett added: “This year’s show was fantastic yet again. The new layout gave the show a really good feel with the retail and trade zones buzzing for the whole four days. I’m already looking at next year’s show as we have a really exciting stand planned which will give people a unique insight into what an oil has to endure. See you next year.”

At the heart of the action was a who’s who of star riders and top names gracing the main stage, which attracted large crowds. It was three-time world champion and KTM rider Jeffrey Herlings who arguably created the biggest buzz; the Dutch motocross star flew in from Amsterdam especially to visit the show and be on hand to meet the fans.

Team GB’s Motocross of Nations superstar Max Anstie also caused quite a stir on the main stage as he spoke about his double win at Matterley Basin.

Two live action halls provided the thrills with three sessions per day of motoball, the weird fusion of fun, football and motorbike madness described as “something you have to see to believe” and non-stop racing in the action-packed MiniBike Supercross competition.

Dougie Lampkin’s Arena Trials at the main entrance also wowed the sea of spectators as they entered the show.

However, the main draws were undoubtedly the manufacturer, trade and retail halls which were inundated with eager shoppers looking to upgrade their hardware for the new season and pick up a bargain or two.

Show manager Nick added: “We already can’t wait to get back to Stoneleigh next year, so get the dates of Thursday to Sunday, November 1-4, 2018 in your diary… it promises to be another unforgettable four days.”

For more information on the show, and to keep up with what’s coming in 2018, visit dirtbikeshow.co.uk and be sure to add it to your favourites.